25 Sep 2018

Two teenagers arrested over hitch-hiker robbery

7:29 pm on 25 September 2018

Two teenagers have been arrested after an elderly man was assaulted and robbed when he picked up two hitch-hikers in Northland.

A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old face theft and driving charges.

The 15-year-old was arrested this morning after the pursuit near Mangamuka in the Far North

Police said the 82-year-old, who was attacked and had his car stolen in Kerikeri on Friday afternoon, is now recovering at home.

The victim's car was recovered after today's pursuit, but police said the vehicle had sustained considerable damage and was unlikely to be roadworthy.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said police were still looking for another person in relation to the incident.

"We want to thank the community who have been extremely helpful in providing valuable information which has led to these arrests.

"We know that the public would have been saddened to hear how a vulnerable, elderly member of our community was preyed upon and we are pleased to have located one of the alleged offenders involved in this nasty incident."

The 17-year-old will appear in the Kaikohe District Court tomorrow and the 15-year-old will appear in the Youth Court later this week.